Hey Guys,
I've started this blog, because I believe I've come up with some ideas regarding Immigration and border policies. I've written a email to this web site, but didn't recieve a response. When you get a chance, please read the letter I sent and respond with any ideas or issues. Thanks.
Dear Sen. Obama, My name is Audie Morris. I'm 26 and a new father as well as a student at a reputable culinary school. I've followed your campaign with great enthusiaism, and while I haven't donated to your campaign yet, I am currently setting aside ten dollars a week. My personal goal is to donate $150 before the end of the 3rd quarter of campaign fundraising. I write you today out of desperation and frustration. Like many citizens, I've felt disenfranchised by the current administration, and have been drawn to your message of hope and civil responsiblity. I, like many, now feel like my voice can be heard over the deafening roar of the corporate machine. In summation, I believe in the political process again. I have been following the issue of immigration, and I believe, most humbly, that I've come up with a solution that would encapsulate both a comprehensive immigration reform and a sucessful border policy. I write to you in this forum because I don't know who to submit this proposal to. I would very much appreciate any response to this idea. I'm afriad that the genesis of this idea came from long nights with the my new daughter, and that I might not see the glaring issues in my own suggestion. Thank you in advance for you time and consideration. I don't believe you can introduce any immigration reform policy without addressing at least some of the major issues the American public had with the immigration legislation that failed earlier this year. Issues like beefing up the border patrol, and a punitive response to the criminal actions of both the undocumented worker and the American employer who nurtures that crime. The American public wants to address the issue of 20 million plus illegal immigrant reasonably without punishing the people who chose to take the appropriate and legal path to citizenship. I believe this proposal adequately addresses these issues. In my proposal, I would set up a 120 day window where the 20 million illegal immigrants would be able to register as undocumented workers at predetermined federal offices. This would satisfy the initial issue of bringing these people out of the shadows and into the public forum. By registering, these immigrants would have to accept a plea of no contest to a generic misdemeanor charge. The misdemeanor would remain on their record. In lue of jail time, these immigrants would atone for their transgression by participating in a monthly restitution payment of ,say, $50. ($50 a month from 20 million immigrants would be 1 billion dollar every month.) Also, the legnth of this restitution period would directly correlate with their country of origin. I suggest taking the average legnth of time that someone has to wait to become a citizen through the legal avenues and doubling it. Meaning, if it takes 7 years to become a citizen legally from Mexico, then any illegal immigrant from Mexico would have to pay that monthly restitution fee for 14 years. Finally, if, during that restitution period, the immigrant were to be charged and convicted of a felony, he or she would be immediately deported. In my mind, this addresses many issues. It would put these undocumented workers on a path to citizenship without bumping them to the front of the line. Conversely, their path to citizenship would take longer and cost more than the legal path. No one would be able to call it amnesty. It also holds these people, who have broken our laws, accountable. I would also suggest, with regard to the money being created by the monthly restitution policy, appropriating a portion of that money to beef up the border patrol. By amassing a larger border patrol agency, it will appease the American public, and deter further illegal immigration in the future. I would also suggest the creation of a new exploritory agency with the soul purpose of finding and fining American employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. By fining an employer $5,000 for every undocumented worker, and by vigorously enforcing those fines, you create an enviroment of economic suicide for those foolish enough to continue to hire illegal aliens for cheap labor. I'm unexperienced in politics, but I do think this could work. It may be delusional to think that an average citizen could be an active participant in the creation of legitimate policy, but it was you, sir, that told me to become more active, so I have. Again, thank you for your time, and I wait with baited breath any response. Good luck in your campaign. Continue to fight the good and just fight, and God bless you. Your biggest supporter, Audie Morris
